The Untold Truth Of Becca Kufrin

There's no doubt that Becca Kufrin is going to be a familiar name in the media for weeks, months, even years to come after the controversial Bachelor finale. Though she was seemingly plucked out of obscurity — Prior Lake, Minnesota, to be exact — and thrust into the reality television spotlight, Kufrin is no stranger to the media. The limited information available in her contestant bio for The Bachelor says that Kufrin works as a publicist. However, as her LinkedIn page shows, she's an up-and-coming publicity powerhouse. 

According to her LinkiedIn page, Kufrin began working as an Account Executive at Skyya Communications, a Minneapolis-based PR firm, in September 2012. According to Skyya's website, the company offers "award-winning global PR and strategic communication services for pioneers." In 2017, Expertise.com listed Skyya among the top 18 public relations firms in Minnesota. Impressively, Kufrin's work experience shows she was promoted to Senior Account Executive at Skyya in January 2014 after less than two years of employment. Perhaps her former Bachelor beau should have taken some PR tips from her book.  

Becca Kufrin's relationship with Arie Luyendyk Jr. is most certainly the most memorable of her relationships, but it's pretty far from the longest. During a one-on-one date in Luyendyk Jr.'s season of The Bachelor, Kufrin revealed the details of her longest, most serious relationship. Of her most serious relationship, Kufrin explained they were "on and off for about seven years," adding, "I'm just ready to move on in my life and find that person again." 

Interested fans were treated to a glimpse of Kufrin's ex-boyfriend, Ross Jirgl, during the "Fantasy Suites" episode of Luyendyk Jr.'s season, when the Stanford football coach surprised both his former flame and her new beau on-location in Peru. "She's the love of my life. I want to marry her," Jirgl told a dumbfounded Luyendyk Jr. during a heated conversation. Unfortunately for Jirgl, Kufrin was crystal clear in her feelings — or lack thereof — for her former flame, saying his surprise appearance left her feeling "very, very shocked and very mad." 

Though she didn't receive the coveted first impression rose, Kufrin was sure to make a lasting first impression on both Luyendyk Jr. and Bachelor fans everywhere. Many of the show's contestants use their limo exit (or first meeting) with the lucky guy as an opportunity to make themselves stand out from the rest of the group. Kufrin's limo exit was certainly one for the books — the girl had Luyendyk Jr. proposing to her at first sight! 

Upon meeting Luyendyk Jr. for the first time, Kufrin prompted the Bachelor to get down on bended knee and ask her if she was "ready to do the damn thing." The one of a kind exit painted Kufrin as beautiful and charming, with an obvious sense of humor. Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, known for his Bachelor predictions at the start of each season, even pegged Kufrin to be the woman that would steal Luyendyk Jr.'s heart. 

Hey, he wasn't totally wrong.

While tragic, the death of a loved onecan also often bring a family closer together. The absence of Becca Kufrin's father during her hometown date with Luyendyk Jr. was certainly on the forefront of the 27 year old's mind, but as she introduced Luyendyk Jr. to her family, it was crystal clear just how close of a bond she shares them all. Bachelor fans could especially sense the bond between Kufrin and her mother, Jill. 

Like her husband, Jill Kufrin has experienced her own battle with cancer. In an October 2015 Instagram post from the former Bachelor contestant, Kufrin's mother is pictured sitting against a backdrop of colorful fall leaves, seemingly laughing and looking as beautiful and healthy as ever. "This beautiful soul never ceases to amaze me," Kufrin captioned the photo. "[She] has shown more strength, grace, and positivity than most people will ever have in an entire lifetime." Kufrin continued the tribute to her mother by noting that the picture was taken only two days after her mother's first surgery and adding a breast cancer awareness hashtag. It seems that strong women run in the family. 

Bachelorette Becca Kufrin has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Bachelor nation certainly seemed to think so. Reality Steve, the Bachelor franchise blogger famous for spoiling the results of Bachelor and Bachelorette seasons months before the final episodes air, predicted that Kufrin will be the titular Bachelorette. According to the reality television blogger, "The Bachelorette [is] Becca's as long as she wants it." 

Reality Steve isn't the only person who predicted that Kufrin would be the next Bachelorette. According to Trista Sutter, the original star of The Bachelorette, Kufrin would make be a perfect choice for the show. "I think she's got a good head on her shoulders," Sutter told Hollywood Life. "She's beautiful. She seems really classy." 

Lauren Bushnell, the winner of Ben Higgins' season of The Bachelor, seemed to echo that sentiment in a tweet posted after witnessing the shocking footage of Luyendyk Jr. retracting his proposal. "Can't wait to watch Becca as the bachelorette," she wrote. 

Naturally, it didn't take ABC long to make things official: Becca Kufrin was officially announced as the star of season fourteen of The Bachelorette on March 6, 2018.

Kufrin is a woman with a seemingly endless amount of admirable qualities that helped her to win over America's heart and secure her rightful place on the Bachelorette throne. Among these enviable traits is Kufrin's fearlessness in making her presence known and her voice heard. This gal isn't one to mince words or shy away from difficult conversations — a point of contention between Kufrin and notoriously quiet and reserved runner-up/bride-to-be, Burnham. 

Though Burnham's shy demeanor may have ultimately won over Luyendyk Jr., Kufrin's distinct ability to say what she means and mean what she says won over — well, everyone else. And as her Instagram confirms, Kufrin was speaking up and making waves long before her Bachelor days. 

Unsurprisingly, the woman who handled herself like a champ while being dumped on-camera knows how to approach tough topics like politics with tact, grace, and a little humor, of course. In a November 2016 post, Kufrin showcases the sticker she received for voting in the 2016 primary election, captioning it, "You didn't vote unless you post your #ivoted sticker selfie, right?" A January 2017 post shows Kufrin standing outside in the snow and holding a sign that reads, "Keep your politics away from my lady bits." 

Whether she's exercising her right to vote or braving freezing temps to march in the historic Women's March, Kufrin knows how to make herself heard. 

Though she was only 27 while filming The Bachelor, Kufrin had already made some pretty serious moves in her career as a publicist. Even more impressive than her professional accomplishments, however, is her history as a volunteer. 

According to her LinkedIn page, before beginning work with Skyya, Kufrin served as an intern and volunteer at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Bloomington, Minnesota. The description of her time spent at the CFF says Kufrin "helped coordinate and execute multiple Foundation events and fundraisers," for three months, among other duties. 

Kufrin clearly has a heart for giving back and helping others, as evidenced by her response to the monetary support she received from Bachelor fans in the wake of the controversial final episode. When asked what she planned to do with the $6,000 of "beer money" sent to her by supportive fans, Kufrin said (via E! News) she planned to donate the money to an organization undoubtedly close to her heart –  Stand Up To Cancer. Talk about finding the silver lining in any situation!

Kufrin may have the body of a Sports Illustrated model, but you can rest assured in the fact that this gal loves to throw down in the kitchen and at the table. Bachelor contestants — they're just like you! 

For example, Kufrin loves a good olive bar as much as the next person (and digs a solid "olive you" pun). She appreciates the beauty and convenience of a food truck. She's a total Martha Stewart fan girl and even has a cookbook signed by the queen herself. And, of course, she loves a pizza pie. 

Embarrassing break-up aside, Kufrin's Bachelor experience most likely took a major toll on her happiness. Why? According to Refinery29, The Bachelor might be the place to be if you're looking for love — but it's certainly not the place to be if you're looking to pig out. 

According to Jaclyn Swartz, a contestant from Ben Flajnik's Bachelor season, the delicious dinners you see on those extravagant dates barely get touched. "No one wants to watch people stuffing their face on a date," Swartz said. Instead, Swartz revealed contestants eat before the dates, as they are getting ready. "The producers will bring room service to your room, or a plate of food to where you're getting ready in the house," she revealed. Here's hoping Kufrin packs some good snacks for her Bachelorette journey.

According to Kufrin's ABC bio, one of her "biggest date fears" is that she and her date will "run out of things to talk about." It's certainly hard to imagine this outspoken and funny lady to ever be at a loss for words — especially since Kufrin is a bit of a bookworm. 

While her ABC bio doesn't list her favorite book, one look at Kufrin's Instagram is all it takes to see just how much this gal appreciates a good book, cozy blanket, and maybe even a glass of wine. However, according to former contestant Sharleen Joynt, Bachelor producers think of books as possible distractions from the task at hand — creating primetime television-worthy drama. 

"They definitely want to keep you focused on [the Bachelor] all the time. So, no music, no books, no anything that could possibly keep you sane," Joynt told The Huffington Post. Take it from Kufrin herself — "A well-read woman is a dangerous creature."